Best time to go on a walking holiday in Italy

2 min summary When to go Map & highlights Things to do Best places Amalfi Coast Prosecco Hills Via Ferrata Top 10 holidays Tips Responsible tourism All our Italy guides

Best time to go walking in Italy

We celebrated new year last year snowshoeing on mount etna. fire and ice. Very, very nice

Soaring temperatures in July-Aug mean this isn't the best time to go on a walking holiday in Italy, particularly on the Amalfi Coast, Sicily and Sardinia. May-June and Sep-Oct are perfect in these parts, although there is respite in the high peaks of the Dolomites and Alps. There are always empty hiking trails to be found away from the chic brigade during peak season, but ferries and accommodation book up far in advance. Lake Como is mild all year, despite having the Alps as a background, rarely dipping below zero in winter. And when the snow falls, try snowshoeing in the Dolomites or on Mount Etna.

Call us for the best time to go on an Italy walking Holiday

Tuscany Weather Chart

MIN °C

MAX °C

RAIN (mm)

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

112

DEC

Our Italy walking Holidays

walking in Italy, month by month

The Amalfi Coast and the Cinque Terre National Park pack out with tourists in July and August. By hiking, you can always escape the crowds, as most stick to the popular beaches and tourist haunts, but just so you are warned. In popular tourist areas, many hotels and restaurants are closed November until late March, so if you are going on a self-guided walking holiday, check how many places will be open. July and August can see very high temperatures unsuited to strenuous hikes, with temperatures in southern areas often breaching 40°C with high humidity. November-March tends to be cold and wet in much of Italy – apart from the mountains, when this is the time for winter sports. So, check out winter walking and snowshoeing during these times. Rainfall is heaviest around Lake Como in May, so bring waterproofs. Be wary hiking around Mont Blanc early in the spring months when snow is melting, because rocks and boulders are dislocated. Some hikers walk with a helmet, for dangerous rockfall areas. There might still be snow and ice, so best to hike with a qualified mountain leader at this time of year. Most Mont Blanc mountain huts are open from mid-June until the first or second week in September, so this is as good a guide as you will get for the best time to go to Mont Blanc. It is advisable to reserve a bed, particularly in the high season of mid-July to mid-August but of course tour operators will do this for you. Easter week can be very full on in Italy, especially around the Amalfi Coast and the islands. So be prepared for festival crowds. Same goes for May when many towns celebrate the Madonna delle Grazie or Madonna’s Festival throughout the month.

Need some help? Give us a call

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Italy walking or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.

01273 823700 (UK)

rosy@responsibletravel.com

01273 823700 (UK)

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Responsible Travel recommends

Chloe Knott, one of the alpine aficionados at our leading supplier, Exodus, gives her advice on the when to go on a walking holiday in Italy, especially around Mont Blanc:
“For the Tour de Mont Blanc generally, the climbing window is between June and September. September is great - the trails are generally a little quieter whilst the weather is usually still warm and clear. November isn’t ideal as you have less daylight hours and unpredictable weather.

The main climbing season for the ascent of Mont Blanc is from June to September. Expect warm temperatures (15 to 25ºC) in the valleys, cool (5 to 15ºC) on the passes (though it will feel colder if wet and windy) and very cold (-20ºC) on the summit, with strong winds too.

For snowshoeing, there is usually a blanket of snow between December and March.”

Emily Chrystie – tour leader with our supplier of Amalfi Coast walking holidays, Exodus:
"In lemon season (March to July), as we’re walking to go up the mountain, locals will come up give us enormous bags full of lemons completely out of the kindness of their hearts."

More about Italy walking

Walking holidays in Italy travel guide

Discover la via e bella as you peruse our Italy walking travel guide and find out what walking in Italy entails.

Italy walking holiday highlights & map

Our Italy walking holiday highlights map will take you from Mont Blanc in the northwest to Naples and Sicily down south.

Italy walking holiday activities

If you’re looking to complement your walking holiday with some alternative activities then check out these handsome hikers.

Best walking holidays in Italy

From Amalfi to Mont Blanc, these are our top ten walking holidays in Italy or primo promenades, if you prefer.

Walking holidays on the Amalfi Coast

Amalfi Coast walking holidays are romantic, rugged, classy, classic and every synonym you could possibly find for beautiful. Be prepared for memory overload…

Walking in the Prosecco Hills

You probably know the drink, but walking in the Prosecco Hills is a chance to discover where it comes from – one of Italy’s least well known wine regions.

Italys Via Ferrata

If you’re keen to take your walking in a decidedly muscular direction, consider tackling a via ferrata.

Top 10 walking holidays

From gentle strolls through rolling vineyards, to hikes up volcanoes and craggy cliffside treks, Italy has a huge array of walks from the easy to the challenging.